Thomas j



(No Model.)

T. J. STRIGKLAND.

BIGYGLE SHOE.

N0. 350,705. Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

INVENTOR WITNESSES WWW ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Photn-Lilhognplwr. Washmglon, o. c.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS J. STRICKLAND, OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELFAND GEORGE L. PIERCE, OF SAME PLACE.

BICYCLE-SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,705, dated October12, 1886,

Application filed June 15, 1886. Serial No. 205,232. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THoMAs J. STRIOKLAND, of Randolph, in the county ofNorfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Bicycle-Shoes, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification,

in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts inall the figures.

Figure l is a sectional side elevation of my improved bicycle-shoe. Fig.2 is a bottom View of the same. Fig. 3 is a top view of the same, partlyin section.

The object of this invention is to provide bicycleshoes constructed insuch a manner that they will be more flexible than ordinary shoes and atthe same time better adapted to resist 2c thejar or vibration of themachine.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of variousparts of the shoe, as will be hereinafter fully described, and thenclaimed.

A represents the uppers, which maybe made of leather or other suitablematerial. The edges of the uppers A are turned in and are secured to theinsole by sewing, nailing, or pegging, a welt being used or not, as maybe desired.

The insole is made in three parts, the forward part, B, and the rearpart, D, of which are made of ordinary sole leather, and theilltermediale part, C, forming the shank or in- 5 step, isv made ofbuckskin, elkskiu, or other material having the requisite elasticity andsufficient strength to hold the stitches, nails, or pegs that fasten theouter sole to the uppers A and to the inner sole, B C D.

The outer sole is made in two parts, an inner part, E, of sole-leather,and an outer part, F, of buckskin, elkskin, or other suitable flexiblematerial having the requisite strength and durability. The two parts E Ffrom the in- 5 step to the toe are connected by rows of cross stitching,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner surface of the shank or instep ofthe inner part, E, of the outer sole is scored to a depth of aboutone-fourth the thickness of the said part, as indicated in Fig. 1. Withthis construction the soles of the shoes will have great flexibility, sothat when used upon the pcdals of a bicycle the rider can both push andpull, and can thus work the said pedals more effectively than whenordinary shoes are worn.

G is the heel, which is secured to the shoe in the ordinary manner. Theinner corner of the heel G is beveled, as shown at the point H in Fig.2, to prevent the said corner from catching upon the hub of the wheel,so that the pedals can be worked with the toes of the feet turnedoutward in their natural position, and thus with less fatigue to therider than when the toes have to be turned inward to pre- 6 Vent theinner corners of the heel from catching upon the hub of the wheel.

i hav edescribed my improvement as applied to bicycleshoes; but do notlimit myself to that use, as it can be applied with advantage to shoesfor all athletic games and sports and for ordinary wear.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A shoe having its insole composed of the end pieces, B D, and theintermediate or shank portion, C, of greater flexibility than the saidend pieces, substantially as described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a shoe having an inner solecomposed of the end pieces, 8 D, and the intermediate or shank portion,C, of greater flexibility than the said end pieces, and an outer solecomposed of the innerlayer, E, and the outerlayer, F, ofgreaterflexibility than the inner layer, as set forth.

THOMAS J. STRICKLAND. Witnesses:

ROYAL W. TURNER, C. G. HATHAWAY.

